Other updates on Edna's site include more books in the Chaplin Library, general updates on the whole site (on going) and I have just updated A Brief Glimpse.

Mabel Normand fan, Marilyn Slater, sent this week a posting on her Mabel Normand site of Edna playing tennis. The photos were for a magazine spread, but fun to see Edna in action! Thanks Marilyn for the send!

And very glad to see the firefighters stop the wildfire from burning down the Hollywood sign on Friday (March 30). The fire was started by teenagers burning firecrackers on the dry Hollywood Hills. If you ever been to the Los Angeles area, you would know it is truly a desert, so not a good start on a very early fire season, that even burned properties this winter.

Also, speaking of Hollywood, I just got a chance to listen to Cinematic Retrospective special interview with Gregory Paul Williams, author of The Story of Hollywood. Always great to listen to someone who is passionate about their subject, and Mr. Williams knows his subject, since he grew-up in Hollywood. I haven't seen the book yet, but will be seeking it out. You can take a listen of the interview at Cinematic Retrospective.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Glendale News reports attorneys will be able to review 'critical records seized' from Grand View Cemetery earlier this year.

"The documents are key to understanding the cemetery's operations and the problems with the cemetery's operations," said attorney Paul Ayers, who represents many who are filing suit against the cemetery. "I'm looking forward to seeing them." - Glendale NewsThe next hearing for the case is May 3, 2007. You can read the full story at this link. (Stories on Glendale News are available to read for free 14 days after posting - this GV story posting started March 29th)

Note: I have no news to report about Edna's situation at Grand View at this time. Also, for Chaplin fans, Paul Ayers name may sound familiar. He is a Chaplin fan who was noted in the latest book 'Silent Traces.'

April 29, 2007 - You can use the search feature to find other posts about Grand View Cemetery. I will be working on other options.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Throughout his career, Charles Chaplin brought lawsuits against others imitating him. This suit was in the courts during the time of A Woman of Paris. Chaplin had just premiered Paris in New York City October 3, as he was asking the courts to stop Charlie Amador from imitating his style.

October 5, 1923 - Los Angeles- "A decision was expected Friday in the suit brought in the superior court by Charlie Chaplin motion picture comedian, against Charles Amador and the Western Feature Productions for a permanent order restraining Amador from "imitating" the Chaplin film clothes.

Chaplin already has obtained a temporary injunction preventing the showing of two films made by the defendants and in which it is alleged the styles of shoes, trousers, cane and mustache made famous by Chaplin as well as his pictures were imitated.

The defendants contended that Chaplin's clothes and mannerisms were as old as comedy itself and that he merely an imitator of ancient jesters, so that he had no reason to complain if others used the same "props." - Denver Post October 5, 1923 (pg 24)

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Dominique sent a new collection of book covers for the Chaplin Library. I will be adding these, but in the meantime, sharing one of the books from the collection about Charles Chaplin by author Wes Gehring. It is called "The Charlie Chaplin Murder Mystery" a comic novel released in 2006.

It is about "a lost Charlie Chaplin film and the shenanigans people go through to obtain it." It is Gehring first novel. The book can be purchased through LULU. (It is a paperback, 152 pages and no illustration.)

As for us we have been working a lot recently on Chaplin's real lost film, The Sea Gull, a film Chaplin produced, but not directed or starred in. More coming in April. Thanks again for the interest.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

"On the same excursion, Einstein, at his own request, met Charlie Chaplin, who, as they arrived at the première of “City Lights,” said, of the applauding public, “They cheer me because they all understand me, and they cheer you because no one understands you.” - New Yorker

Chaplin and Einstein attended the Los Angeles premiere of 'City Lights' in 1931. The film was Chaplin's second to last silent film, but it wasn't totally silent. It was Chaplin's first film with his own musical score.

While fans of Chaplin know that Georgia Hale was with Charlie the night of the premiere, Edna fans learned at the 2006 Cinecon showing of the Lita Hill interview that members of Edna's family were at the same premiere.

Edna Purviance did not attend, but her sister Bessie Purviance Hill and sister-in-law, Helen Hill (wife to Chaplin's cameraman Morgan Hill and Lita Hill's mother) did attend the 'City Lights' premiere. A ticket and photos from that evening event are still in the collection.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Events Planned before and duringIl Cinema RitrovatoBologna, Italy 2007Exhibition: Chaplin in PicturesNow through October 2007

Films and ConcertsJune 15 - July 11, 2007Includes all the currently restored Keystone comedies, Chaplin's last two British films (King of New York and Countess of Hong Kong), Essanay, Mutual and First National films, and his United Artists collection.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

The new paperback edition of Jackie Coogan: The World's Boy King by Diana Serra Cary was released by Scarecrow Press in February. See Amazon for details. (The hardback edition is still available at Amazon.)

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

It was June 1926. Josef von Sternberg and staff were busy finishing the editing on The Sea Gull. Charlie Chaplin was nearby working on The Circus, when Spanish actress Raquel Meller paid a visit to the Chaplin set.

Chaplin was captured by the beautiful young star. So much so, Variety reported on June 23, 1926 Meller signed a contact on June 21th for $120,000. The deal was for 12-weeks to star in Chaplin's next picture for United Artist that he planned to direct, produce and possibly act.

He thought to use her as Josephine (a role he had in mind for Edna Purviance), but none of this happened. Chaplin's next picture after The Circus was City Lights. He never made his long planned picture Napoleon.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Thanks to one of our loyal Edna fans who send me an interesting interview by Kevin Brownlow, I decided to place together available interviews, articles and programs featuring Kevin Brownlow from the web. Also, I added an interview of David Sheperd by Mark Zimmer from DOC Scenes.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

There are a few known stars at Grand View Memorial Park in Glendale, California besides Edna Purviance. They included: Chill Willis, Harry Langdon and Leo White. Leo White played in several of Chaplin's early film works, including The Count and A Jitney Elopement. He played a Count in both those films. Here is the list from Find a Grave for more at Grand View.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

From the Edna Purviance Research FileThe idea of using Charlie Chaplin's films as a base for a play is not new, as this March 3, 1926 article from Variety reveals.

French Comedy Based on "Gold Rush" Film - March 3, 1926"One of the two new openings is a four-act comedy based on Charlie Chaplin's "Gold Rush" picture. This is "Le Figurante de la Gaite" (Super, of the Gaity), which opened favorably at the fashionable little Theatre Daunou. The author is Albert Savior, who wrote "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife."

The piece is a philosophical fantasy having to do with a melancholy and humble actor, loved for the illusion he inspires rather than himself. In plot, a group of practical jokers send this supernumerary with a forged letter arranging a rendezvous with a princess. Lacking sufficient clothing, the actor wears a stage costume to impersonate a rajah and wins the member of royalty.

Victor Boucher was admirable in the principal male role, while Regina Flory was splendid as the princess. Others in the cast are Andre Dubosc and Jacques Gaudin." - March 1926

The second play they mentioned was called "Les Blues de l"Amour" (Love Debutantes) in case you were wondering. The most recent plays based on one of Chaplin's films is "Charlie Chaplin Goes to War." It played in February in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

March 30th, 2007 - McAllen, Texas - South Texas CollegePecan Campus Auditorium - 7PMFor our Texas fans who are near McAllen, Texas, there is a public showing of Charlie Chaplin's THE KID with Edna Purviance and Jackie Coogan planned for March 30th, 2007 at 7PM.

Check this LINK and page down to find date and more information. (Under Writers in Literary Discussion)

If you haven't seen it already, British Film Institute has a few items from Edna Purviance's scrapbook online for fans to view. This scrapbook is the same one that once belong to Edna, but was bought with other items by a private London collector.

Note: For Rudolph Valentino fans, Donna Hill has her latest program about Valentino.

CINEFESTAlso, if they are not sold out and you are in the New York area, you might try Cinefest the weekend of March 15th-18th. Link to 2007 program. The yearly festival is in the Syracuse, New York area.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Growing up in Nevada, Edna Purviance met many people from different parts of the world. Paradise Valley and Lovelock, Nevada had immigrants from European countries, Britain, China, Mexico, Russia, etc... She got to hear many different accents as immigrants learned English, along with their native language. Even Edna's mother (born and raised in England until age 11) still had some of her English accent late in life. To hear all the different accents Edna may have heard has gotten easier with an interesting project by George Mason University.

Monday, March 05, 2007

YES! We are working on THE SEA GULL, just in a slow part at the moment. I do plan to place a special page about the book, so lots to come!

I am planning a new section on Edna's site. Something I mentioned briefly last year, but a section covering more about Edna's family and life in Nevada. I will be sharing articles to give you a 'taste' of that world.

I am working a lot on The Chaplin Library. The overall look won't change much, but the library is going through big changes which I plan to mention more later. You may see some changes as you visit now. I have posted the updated Latest page, with 11 new additions to the library.

Charlie Chaplin's birthday will be celebrated on TCM this April with a series of films, including The Kid with Edna Purviance and Richard Schickel Documentary Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin.

Finally I have a new Brief Glimpse up! This time from my research file. And we sent our first newsletter to Edna fans last week from our list of contest entries.

As mentioned before The Sea Gull is our top project. If we didn't have to make a living, it could go a lot faster, but please be patient, it is coming! Thanks for the interest and watch for more updates.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Maybe you can help us. We are looking for the music title list for this Chaplin music CD called: "The Music of Charlie Chaplin" by the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Francis Shaw (1998, BMG). If you happen to own it and can share the track listing, it would be a great help. Thank you...

Latest updates on Edna Purviance's sites, related Charlie Chaplin news and items of interest, with a sampling of my other interests. Currently working on Edna's family bio. Draft is finished, and onto the editor stage. More to come.

Charlie Chaplin DVDs

Comparison Review of the Mutual DVD Collections

Charlie Chaplin Books

Collecting Chaplin books? Check out our list and database

Hollywood Series

Kevin Brownlow and David Gill - While still available on VHS from private collections, The Hollywood Series Collection SHOULD BE on DVD, but due to copyrights, controlled by studios, etc. it is being held-up. Great series that should be saved.

Adel Gance's Napoléon and Revisiting England

Morgan vs. Morgan

Finding the alias 'Morgan Hill'

The Sea Gull "A Woman of the Sea" by Linda Wada - Charlie Chaplin's lost film production - 1926

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR DETAILS! Film starring Edna Purviance, story and direction by Josef von Sternberg: "The look of the film, revealed in these marvellous photographs, makes it all the more tragic that it was destroyed." - Kevin Brownlow, Silent Film Historian, London

Adventure Films - 2014 WAR Series

with Garen & Murray Ewing discuss 10 war films for this latest series.

Lita Hill: Apr. 1933-Jan. 2008

Edna Purviance's Grand Niece has died - see January 21, 2008 post. About Lita's interview shown in Hollywood: "...remarkable interviews with Edna's great niece, herself quite the interesting lady. A nontraditional view of Edna, who did NOT pine away and die after her affair with Chaplin ended, but went out and lived a good full life and married the man of her dreams. I hope this one gets some walking money."

Discovered Films with Edna!

Edna Purviance's Private Life! See January 17th, 2007 special post!

Jack Squire's films part of FDR Documentary

PBS Producer, John Schwally, will be using some of Jack Squire's discovered films for upcoming documentary about FDR. (Jack was Edna's husband.)